Tam O’ Shanter Golf Course

The course is in good shape, tee boxes, fairways, greens– all well kept. Very odd assortment of holes. 1St hole is 400 and takes a decent drive to be in position to hit the green in regulation. The next few holes are very easy par 4s (275−330yrds), the 3 par 3s are relatively challenging. On the 6^th (par 3) the blue tees, when way back is around 205, tee shot must carry about 185 to avoid front sand (nice hole). The 8^th is another 400 par 4, straight with sand on left at about 265 – 280, but is dead straight.
I played this course 2 times in the last 2 weeks and have no urgency to go back. The starters were not harassing me to play faster, but the course is SLOW. It seems most golfers here dont hit their fairway. You hear «four» every 10 min, and balls are all over the place.
The bar/​grill/​clubhouse (Howatd st Inn) is awesome. Great sportsbar, beautiful waitstaff (yes, I said it), great beer specials, food is good. I’ll be back there for sure

Tam, never again. I have been coming here for years and the rangers have always been a pain. Always hawking you to hurry up. Today, I had one who tried to talk to me while I was hitting a shot, how disrespectful? I would rather play somewhere else where I am not constantly harassed on every hole. 4 rangers for a 9 hole course? Never seen that before. By the way, I was playing by myself and the slow group was ahead of me so no need to come and harass and disrespect me. Will take my money, and my golf skills somewhere better.

9 home golf course was ok at best. Only have it 1star for the price because it’s cheap. Main issue was with the course ranger where we rented a golf cart and he followed us for the first 4 holes making sure we were driving the cart correctly and rushing us throughout the entire course. My friend and I are just an amateur golfers that began golfing a few months ago after taking a serious interest in the sport. After going to the range several times, I decided to take on the 9 hole courses. He insulted us several times (thinking he’s helping us by sharing his opinion when it was never asked) and talked to us with a terrible sarcastic tone in his voice. I would never go there again!!!
If you do go there beware of the old, bald headed ranger with glasses!!!

For what it is, a short 9 Holer, TAM is solid. Fairways are tight but conditions of tee box, fairways, and greens are impeccable. Lots of trees and hilly. Overall nice atmosphere for golf. Not the best value however

For a 9 hole, this place got some longer places where I can attempt to use my driver.
The fact that it is pretty much all par 4’s is nice… 9-​holes that are all par 3 can go really really quick.
I just enjoy this place for being a pretty fun links course. Only problem is that it is hard to bring your own booze on this course.

Denise J. and I went here on a early Friday evening.
We wanted to get in a «quick nine» and we did.
We finished just before the sunset.
The «course ranger» came over and told us that we could finish our second to last hole on a different hole because there was a group of four in front of us and he «wanted to make sure we get in all nine»
Very sweet.
For a Park District Course the grounds are very well maintained.
Nice short course. Two water holes… uuuggghhh.
«Gigi» wrote in her review «The fairways are tight, so when someone yells „Fore!“ you better look around to see if something is flying at you»
Take her advice… very accurate.
The golf course bar is a nice way to finish off the evening.
Good bar fare. Good Service. Good prices.

The Tam o’ Shanter golf course is managed by the Niles Park District. It was the site of the first nationally televised golf tournament in 1953. Arnold Palmer played here. It was originally 18 holes but was cut to 9 so that industry could expand on the south side of Howard Street.
That shouldn’t stop you from going and playing a round.
Course length is 2583 yards and is a par 33. There are no 5 pars, and only a few 3 pars. It’s a good and manageable walk. It is set in a beautiful wooded area with trees and flowing creeks. I have seen flocks of geese, ducklings following their mama, rabbits and deer while playing. It reminds you how great it is to be out in nature.
People of all skill levels play here. The fairways are tight, so when someone yells «Fore!» (and they do), you better look around to see if something is flying at you. I have had balls drop within 3 – 5 feet of me several times after I heard players hollering that word, and now I have a complex, and am considering expanding my golf wardrobe to include a bicycle helmet that will complement my ugly plaid pants and kiltie shoes.
The greens are usually dry as hell and are shaped like potato chips. More challenging than you think. My favorite hole is no.7 — the fairway is really wide and long, so if I slice it there’s still have a chance that it’ll land in a decent place!
They have friendly roving beer cart and ranger people. There are water coolers at several holes and a restroom and drink vending machines on hole no. 5
There’s a pro shop and lessons are available. No driving range, but they do have a putting green. I don’t live in Niles so I pay $ 17 for the round and $ 3 for a pull cart on the weekdays– cheaper than Waveland. Play time is about 2 hours, twenty minutes.
A very pleasant place.